HOW THE DISTRICT’ S TRANSITION PROGRAM HELPS SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS EXCEL
Balancing school, work, and life can be hard enough for even the most adaptable students. But special-needs students often require a different kind of support, and few districts offer their students a comprehensive school-to-life support system. That’ s why BWSD’ s Transition-to- Life Program was created.
Transition is a specialized ESY program that serves District students in seventh grade through the age of twenty-one. Here, program leaders help students learn the daily life skills that are so critical during their transition from school to living the rest of their lives, such as financial management, cooking, cleaning, using public transportation, and more— as well as helping them prepare for any post-secondary education they may pursue.
Eric Jankoski has served as the Transition Coordinator for the past eight years. His team, including Health and Physical Education Teacher Tim Laughlin and Life Skills Support Teacher Joshua Stahl, has helped hundreds of special-needs students live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. But that’ s just one part of the Transition Program’ s impact.
“ Another success for us is teaching the students without disabilities at BHS how to see the person and not the disability,” says Jankoski, who welcomes student volunteers to assist with the Transition Program by way of partners’ programs or the Special Olympics Club, as a means of expanding their own worldview.
“ Students in our community learn through activities like the
‘ Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign’, that the‘ r-word’ has no place being used in today’ s society, in any capacity. Our students learn not just to have sympathy for those with disabilities, but to empower them. One of our proudest moments is when we see a former student, without a disability take what we’ ve taught them and apply it to their chosen profession, or‘ pay it forward’ by teaching others outside of our community how to include everyone and exclude no one.”
Community involvement is another cornerstone of the Transition Program, and Jankoski is thrilled to see local organizations and businesses getting involved.“ In the past year, we expanded our vocational training program and joined forces with some local community partners like the Whitehall Public Library and Lori G’ s Hair Salon,” says Jankoski.“ They’ ve provided vocational experiences for our students to help improve their employability skills in hope of gaining competitive employment upon graduation. They’ ve been gracious to open their doors to our students and serve as positive mentors.”
The continued expansion and improvement of the Transition Program aligns with Jankoski’ s vision of a better future for all students, regardless of ability.
“ One of our biggest goals is to create a more inclusive culture that values acceptance of everyone and excludes no one,” says Jankoski.“ The more people we can bring on board to this movement, the better our community can be for everyone.”
aldwin-Whitehall
CITY BALDWIN-WHITEHALL OF MCKEESPORT NEWS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
cKeesport
HIGHLANDER SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDS
Attention all local students in grades K – 8! Join us this summer for our fourth-annual Highlander Summer Camps for kids.
The camps offer students opportunities to explore various aspects of STEAM( Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) in a fun and engaging environment while also providing them with opportunities to learn about leading a healthy life.
Registration will open in April and will be announced on bwschools. net, Twitter(@ BWSDSTEAM), and on Facebook(@ BaldwinWhitehallSD). See you in the summer!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR 2017-2018
It’ s time for Kindergarten Registration and we’ re looking forward to meeting the BHS Class of 2030!
Required Screening Dates Paynter Elementary School: April 11, 2017 McAnnulty Elementary School: April 20, 2017
Mark the dates and visit http:// bwschools. net / District / News / 17641-Kindergarten-Registration. html for complete registration information, links, and resources.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SENIOR PRESENTATION DAY ON MAY 16
Baldwin High School seniors are about to embark on their biggest project yet, and they need your help.( If you just said,“ who, me?” the answer is,“ yes, you!”)
On May 16, Baldwin seniors will conduct career preparedness“ exit interviews” with a panel of judges, including Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Pedro Rivera. This year, Superintendent Randy Lutz is welcoming all interested BWSD business owners, working professionals, and community members to join the panel as well. Its goal is to provide seniors with realworld feedback on their life plans and career goals, to ensure they’ re prepared for their next steps in employment, military service, or higher education.
Participants must be present for at least one randomly selected senior presentation during the day’ s morning or afternoon session, and then provide brief written feedback to the student( s) regarding what the student( s) did well, suggested areas to improve upon, and tips for future interviews. If you’ re actively seeking employees or interns, these exit interviews may also create new networking connections among students and local businesses and organizations.
For more information, please visit bit. ly / bwsrexit.
Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall | Spring 2017 | icmags. com 83